Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Spokane?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Spokane?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,530 in Burlington, VT versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 5% higher in Burlington, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$884

+31% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$903

+29% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$1,192

+31% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,442

+28% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$326,200

+18% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$65,745

+5% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$54,660

+9% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

37.2 yr

+10.5 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

39.8%

58.3%

+18.5 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

32.6%

+27.9 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

21.2 min

+2.0 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

683.6

+38% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

4,408.9

4,931.8

+12% in Spokane, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.0°F

48.9°F

+2.9°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

17.8 in

+19.0 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.9

+40% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.31

$20.41

+0% in Spokane, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

None

+8.8 pp in VT

Burlington vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Spokane?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).